The Pixel Watch and Pixel 7 deserve greater than 3 years of updates
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
After years of rumors and leaks, Google after all took the wraps off the Pixel Watch previous this week. On the other hand, the corporate omitted one key element all over the presentation — how lengthy it’ll give a boost to its first-ever Put on OS smartwatch. Thankfully for us, Google’s personal product documentation web site is going into extra element. Identical to the Pixel 7 sequence, the Pixel Watch gets 3 years of assured utility updates, up till October 2025 (Pixel 7 handsets will see an additional two years of safety updates too).
If that three-year OS promise doesn’t sound very spectacular, permit me to reassure you that it’s no longer. Let’s get started with the Pixel Watch. It faces two large competition in this day and age and each outdo Google handily relating to give a boost to. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5, which is constructed at the similar Put on OS basis, will obtain 4 years’ price of utility updates. The Apple Watch Sequence 8, in the meantime, might be supported for 5 entire years in response to previous developments.
Samsung and Apple each be offering longer utility give a boost to for his or her respective telephones and smartwatches.
As a potential Pixel Watch purchaser, it’s disappointing to understand that the clock is already ticking. If I don’t select one up at release, I’ll be purchasing a product that’s already hurtling towards a collection expiration date. Whilst I do agree that Google has to attract a line someplace, 3 years isn’t just about sufficient for a tool that can keep on cabinets for a 3rd of that point.
Additionally, making an allowance for Google’s tendency to close down liked products and services, I’m slightly cautious about purchasing a first-generation product. Whilst I doubt it’ll percentage Stadia’s destiny, Google’s reluctance to make a long-term dedication doesn’t encourage self assurance. Against this, long-term updates would enshrine Google’s dedication, regardless that that may be pricey for the corporate if its first-gen product flops. Certainly, the Galaxy Watch 5 seems like the more secure wager, and that’s sooner than we even speak about worth. Samsung’s providing is 25{ad04e458d8a67bb381461aa5bab353250a5c3a294cd93826b3ec944a191540bb} inexpensive than the Pixel Watch.
Lengthy-term give a boost to would possibly encourage extra self assurance in Google’s first watch.
Ahead of the announcement, I’d was hoping the Pixel Watch would turn out to be an business benchmark for long-term utility give a boost to, very similar to the Nexus sequence. As an alternative, I’m now reminded of the way little has modified because the past due 2010s. Maximum Put on OS smartwatches at the moment, together with my second-gen Moto 360, won simply two to 3 years of utility updates.
Opinion: The Pixel Watch can’t be successful if Google reuses the similar 8-year-old method
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
It’s no longer simply the Pixel Watch that disappoints at the utility updates entrance; Google’s Pixel 7 sequence may even obtain 3 Android model updates. They’ll nonetheless see safety patches for a few years past 2025, however don’t be expecting any new characteristic drops.
When Google introduced that it’s the use of customized silicon for the Pixel sequence, many speculated that the transfer would deliver longer give a boost to home windows. This made sense as Google not has to depend on a third-party chip seller to free up up to date drivers or supply give a boost to. However even if Google negotiated with Qualcomm to make sure 3 OS updates for Snapdragon SoCs introduced after 2020, the quest massive hasn’t moved previous that benchmark for its personal units. It’s no longer transparent why. In all probability price continues to be a barrier given the Pixel’s rather small gross sales quantity.
The Pixel 7 sequence gets 3 OS updates and 5 overall years of safety updates.
In the meantime, the contest has stuck up with Google. Xiaomi was once as soon as derided amongst Android fans for its inconsistent utility give a boost to. But, the corporate has promised to ship 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of safety patches to the Xiaomi 12 sequence. To be transparent, you get an extra 12 months’s price of safety updates with the Pixel 7, however that’s just a slender victory while you imagine how some distance forward Google as soon as was once.
After which there’s Samsung. The South Korean corporate now leads the Android marketplace relating to utility give a boost to. With 4 years of OS updates and 5 overall years of safety patches, it’s no longer some distance from matching Apple’s superb observe document. For some context, the iPhone 8 from 2017 were given this 12 months’s iOS 16 replace. Samsung’s replace coverage additionally applies to mid-range smartphones just like the Galaxy A53 5G, which competes in opposition to the reasonably priced Google Pixel 6a moderately than the Pixel 7 and Professional.
If Google desires to rival the iPhone, it must do higher than part as a few years of OS updates.
Granted, there’s nonetheless one receive advantages to proudly owning a Pixel — you get utility updates quicker than the remaining. Android 13, as an example, hasn’t made its approach to maximum non-Pixel smartphones simply but. Even supposing Google hosts a beta program annually, maximum producers best appear to boost up building after the strong free up.
On the other hand, sooner updates don’t catch up on a shorter give a boost to window. I’d additionally argue that many Pixel house owners, a minimum of nowadays, purchase into the ecosystem for Google’s blank and feature-rich Pixel UI. Those discerning customers are much more likely to check their smartphones’ utility longevity in opposition to the gold usual. If Google desires to promote a top rate revel in that opponents the iPhone, it must do higher than part as a few years of OS updates. And extra importantly, we nonetheless want Google to guide via instance and stay the Android business on its ft. I doubt Samsung and Xiaomi would’ve advanced their insurance policies if it wasn’t for the contest.
Do you care about utility updates past 3 years?
760 votes
All in all, I’m hoping Google considers upping its dedication to long-term utility updates around the Pixel ecosystem — if no longer for the good thing about consumers, then a minimum of for the surroundings. Smartphone {hardware} has reached the purpose of diminishing returns, and with Google’s self-repair and different sustainability tasks, we will have to have the selection to proceed the use of our current {hardware} for longer.
See additionally: It’s time to ditch our fascination with the once a year improve cycle
https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-7-watch-software-updates-3217589/